February 29, 2024

Nearly All COVID-19 Cases Now JN.1 Variant

The COVID-19 variant JN.1 accounts for 96.4% of all COVID cases in the United States. JN.1 is also the dominant variant found in wastewater surveillance. Although the variant has a high transmissibility rate, it appears to be no more severe than previous variants. However, those at higher risk for severe illness should consider preventive measures. The updated COVID-19 vaccine provides protection against this latest variant. The CDC C OVID data tracker is a useful tool that provides a weekly variant surveillance summary.

New Billing & Payment Resources on the WAVE Microsite

The WAVE immunization microsite now features a new Billing & Payment Resources section designed to help providers navigate vaccine billing and payment. With guides tailored specifically for the long-term care setting, it provides actionable support for overcoming billing challenges.

COVID-19 Trends: Hospitalizations and Deaths Decline, Challenges Persist in Long-Term Care Facilities

The greatest number of COVID-19 cases continue to be seen in adults 75 years and older.

Long-term Care Facilities confirmed COVID-19 cases remain high at 6.2/000 cases for the week ending February 18.

Vaccination remains a vital tool to protect public health. One dose of the updated 2023-2024 Moderna, Pfizer or Novavax vaccine is recommended for individuals to be considered up to date.

Check Your Community's Stats

Who's Considered Up To Date?

Individuals 65+ Should Get a COVID Spring Booster

An expert panel advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccines on Wednesday recommended that people 65 and older should get an additional Covid-19 vaccine shot this spring. The recommendation was approved by CDC Director Mandy Cohen.

This is the third year that spring boosters will be offered, a recognition of the fact that transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus occurs all year. CDC staff who briefed members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on the status of Covid transmission noted that while activity peaked over the Christmas period, there are still roughly 20,000 people a week hospitalized for COVID-19 and about 2,000 deaths a week caused by the disease. Covid hospitalizations are most common among people 65 and older; people 75 and older are most likely to die from the infection. Only about 40% of people 65 and older have received the 2023-2024 vaccine, according to CDC data. Learn more.

Upcoming Events

NHSN Office Hours Session 1

March 6 @ 11:00 am

Join us for a 30-minute, bi-weekly chat to discuss various topics surrounding NHSN including official NHSN updates, reminders about upcoming changes, and answers to our most commonly received provider questions. Bring your questions and concerns and learn to better navigate NSHN. Register now.

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The IPRO QIN-QIO works to ensure high-quality, safe health care in New England, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Delaware, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.

This material was prepared by the IPRO QIN-QIO, a Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this document do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. 12SOW-IPRO-QIN-T1-AA-21-435